Enugu Task Force On Covid-19 Warns Residents Against Violation Of Protocols

The Enugu State Government has cautioned residents against the non-observance of COVID-19 prevention protocols.

Anaedoonline.ng reports that the warning was handed down by the Governor’s Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The team led by the co-chairman and leader of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezugwu, spoke at different locations in the State during an enlightenment exercise.

The first point of call was the Shoprite Shopping Mall where it was observed that though there was strict enforcement of protocol at the entrance, many customers removed their nose masks once they got inside the mall.

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While speaking to the management team of the mall, the lawmaker said there was the need for people to understand that the pandemic was far from being over.

He said a third wave of the pandemic would be more disastrous.

“We are here to create awareness, to let our people know the need to abide by all the relevant protocols that have to do with COVID-19, basically obeying all the protocols, physical distancing, washing of hands, wearing of masks, and all that.

“With what is happening, the supply of vaccines is very limited and it is said that God helps those who help themselves.

“I observed that at the entrance your security men do the needful, but we advise that they up the game, at times they relax. They ensure that people wear face masks, but when I come here discreetly, I see that there are one, two, three that are not doing what they are supposed to do. So, there is the need to rise to the occasion,” he noted.

Ezugwu also told journalists that after the exercise that “in no distant time, there will be enforcement, that is what we came to enlighten them.

“We will be going to all the senatorial zones of the State, today we started in Enugu urban, and the message is simple- COVID-19 is still with us.”

In a remark, the Shoprite operations manager, Mr. Greg Ejiofor said the enforcement had not been easy but they remained committed to the protocols.

The team also addressed customers at the Glo and MTN telecoms outlets at the mall where several customers waiting to enrol for the National Identification Number, NIN, were seen without wearing nose masks.

From the Shoprite, the Task Force also visited the Roban Stores, the Spar Shopping Mall, Ogbete Market, Aria Market and a branch of First Bank Plc at Okpara Avenue, Enugu.

At the bank, the Enugu State Commissioner for health, Hon. Ikechukwu Obi, who later joined the team, said it would be a terrible mistake for the people to relax their guard.

He also urged the residents to take advantage of the ongoing vaccination.

According to him, “Some of you may have been sceptical, why are we here, why are we disturbing. Most of you don’t wear masks but when they come to institutions like this bank, you now see everybody putting on the masks.

“The issue of nose masks is just like seat belts, it is for your own safety; anyday you are thrown off the car, you will understand but it will be late by then.

“I just read an article this morning about why many people are dying in India; they became over confident, they said this thing is not true, it is not happening anymore, and suddenly, the whole world is hearing about what is happening in India.”

“Now, they are still giving the vaccine, but very soon we are going to reach the halfway mark, very soon if you change your mind and come it will not be available.

“They are vaccinating now at Shoprite, UNTH, Paklane, Orthopaedic Hospital, New Haven Clinic, Asata Clinic, Richards Clinic, Abakpa Health Centre, Uwani Health Centre, among others. Very soon it will stop and they will start a second dose for those who took it when it started on March 10,” he disclosed.

Also on the delegation was the coordinator and secretary of the Task Force, Mr. Chris Amalu, among others.

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